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Un protocole innovant de suivi de l’abondance du cerf par drone avec capteur thermique a été élaboré et mis en œuvre pour évaluer l’abondance des populations de cerfs sur les zones prioritaires du projet. Les observations de cette première mise en œuvre ont confirmé une forte concentration des hardes dans les zones difficiles d’accès où la chasse nourricière est pratiquement absente, atteignant en certains endroits des densités qui constituent certainement un record mondial - toutes espèces de cervidés confondues. Pour élaborer ce protocole, des premiers tests ont été réalisés sur divers habitats (savanes, forêt sèche et humide) et à différentes attitudes et pentes, contribuant à la formalisation d’une étude de faisabilité. Celle-ci a permis d’élaborer une méthode projetable dans des zones très difficiles d’accès sans risque d’effarouchement des animaux. Cette phase a par ailleurs permis le développement d’un algorithme de détection et de comptage automatique, capable de distinguer la signature thermique des cerfs de celles d’autres mammifère en condition optimale de mise en œuvre. L’analyse cartographique et la reconnaissance de terrain des zones prioritaires a enfin permis de définir les sites de pilotage recommandés. La mise en œuvre de l’Indice Aérien d’Abondance par Drone (IAAD), entre décembre 2023 et mars 2024, a permis de détecter 2 043 cerfs sur une surface prospectée de 4 694 hectares. Ce résultat est le fruit de 97 plans de vols pour une durée totale de 118 heures. Ils ont permis la prospection de secteurs répartis sur les trois zones prioritaires et ont été définis de manière à offrir une diversité des conditions de suivi, notamment en termes d’habitat (forêt, savane, maquis minier) et de strate de végétation (herbacée, arbustive, arborée). Les efforts se sont néanmoins concentrés sur les savanes herbacées périphériques ou incluses à la forêt humide ou en zones arbustives adjacentes, en excluant autant que possible les zones arborées défavorables à la détection aérienne et aux cerfs en période d’alimentation nocturne. Les résultats dénotent d’une abondance très élevée, avec une densité moyenne de 43,5 cerfs/km2 qui cache cependant des disparités importantes. Le secteur de Boréaré présente ainsi de loin la densité de cerfs la plus élevée (92 cerfs/km2), devant ceux de Konoyes Shaoué (78 cerfs/km2) et Bas Nindhia (63 cerfs/km2).

Updates on the work being done by PRISMSS is published in the PRISMSS Newsletter.

This Battler Series publication builds understanding about negative impacts of weeds in Pacific island contexts and supports the prioritisation of established, widespread weeds for management. This guide is based on training conducted by PRISMSS NENS Technical Lead Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR), New Zealand. Tiffany Straza prepared the guide text; Lynley Hayes, Chris McGrannachan, and Quentin Paynter provided review. This publication is part of a collection of Battler guides on managing weeds in the Pacific region. For an introduction to biocontrol, read the Battler publication Use natural enemies to manage widespread weeds in the Pacific. For weeds present at low abundance, see Manage low-incidence priority weeds to conserve Pacific biodiversity.

The Pacific Island nations of Niue and Tonga are leading global efforts to expand the management of invasive species at a large-landscape scale and increase the resilience of their ecosystems and communities to the impacts of climate change. Niue’s Environment Minister, Hon. Mona Ainuu, recently made an ambitious pledge for the country to control four priority invasive species by 2030, including Taro Vine, rats, feral pigs, and the coral eating Drupella snail. This work will help to enhance Niue’s premium ecotourism brand and directly support the provision of green jobs. Tonga has also pledged to expand the management of priority invasive species at a large-landscape scale following the successful eradication of rats from Late Island, the largest eradication ever undertaken in the Pacific Islands region. Studies have shown that, once rats are removed, the nutrients from returning seabird populations restore the climate resilience of coral reefs and increase the productivity of fish stocks by up to 50%. Tonga’s plans to scale-up the management of priority invasive species will help expand its national park system, provide refugia for 95% of the country’s biodiversity, and directly increase the climate resilience of its ecosystems and communities.

The Pacific Island nations of Niue and Tonga are leading global efforts to expand the management of invasive species at a large-landscape scale and increase the resilience of their ecosystems and communities to the impacts of climate change. Niue’s Environment Minister, Hon. Mona Ainuu, recently made an ambitious pledge for the country to control four priority invasive species by 2030, including Taro Vine, rats, feral pigs, and the coral eating Drupella snail. This work will help to enhance Niue’s premium ecotourism brand and directly support the provision of green jobs. Tonga has also pledged to expand the management of priority invasive species at a large-landscape scale following the successful eradication of rats from Late Island, the largest eradication ever undertaken in the Pacific Islands region. Studies have shown that, once rats are removed, the nutrients from returning seabird populations restore the climate resilience of coral reefs and increase the productivity of fish stocks by up to 50%. Tonga’s plans to scale-up the management of priority invasive species will help expand its national park system, provide refugia for 95% of the country’s biodiversity, and directly increase the climate resilience of its ecosystems and communities.

Previous efforts to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species in Tuvalu demonstrate that collaboration across all levels of government, Kaupule, landowners, and other interested parties is critical to minimising the spread and impact of invasive species. This NISSAP will provide us with guidance on how to address the problems that invasive species pose to our environment. The NISSAP is a plan for an urgent and effective response to reduce the threat of invasive species. It will help us enact preventive measures for early detection and rapid response at our marine ports and airports, specifically targeting inbound commercial shipments and the importation of exotic animals and plants.

The purpose of the Guiding Framework is to support anyone or any institution planning and implementing invasive species projects or programmes on islands in the Pacific. To this end, this document lists the essential components of a comprehensive and effective invasive species management programme. It has been compiled in consultation with experts and Pacific Island countries and territories, to support them in developing their invasive species work and to guide regional and international agencies. The Guiding Framework has been endorsed by all countries and territories in the Pacific islands region and the metropolitan countries with jurisdictional responsibilities in the Pacific via the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Pacific Community (SPC) Meetings.

The guidance in this document is for invasive species management practitioners and local authorities in Pacific countries who wish to improve biosecurity for their islands. Preventing invasive species from spreading between islands is everyone’s responsibility and is to everyone’s benefit. This document provides guidance on biosecurity measures for anyone involved in inter-island travel, trade, and transport.

Sustainable financing is about gaining access to funding in a way that can continue permanently for all the work that needs to be done and, typically, that does not rely on grants. Those involved in conservation or environmental management know how important funding is and how much effort is involved in getting the funding needed for projects and activities. The task of getting money is usually the role of the director or manager of an organisation. In the case of government departments, this responsibility typically lies with the finance manager.

The launch of the Pacific Marine Biosecurity Toolkit on 1st March 2022 also introduced the new Pacific battler series called "Manage marine biosecurity in the Pacific", a guide that provides an introduction on how to manage invasive marine species in the Pacific.